NIT-K Sees Surge in Consultancy Projects Amid Ranking Decline

The National Institute of Technology – Karnataka (NIT-K) in Surathkal has experienced a notable increase in consultancy projects over the past three financial years. According to data submitted to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for India rankings 2025, the institute secured a total of 1,269 consultancy projects from 944 client organisations during the financial year 2023-24. The revenue generated from these projects amounted to ₹25.79 crore.

The growth of consultancy projects is evident when comparing figures from previous years. In 2022-23, NIT-K received 1,219 projects from 931 clients, generating ₹23.47 crore. The year before that, the institute had 921 projects from 505 clients, which brought in ₹12.87 crore. This consistent upward trend highlights the increasing demand for consultancy services provided by NIT-K.

Growth in Sponsored Research Projects

In addition to consultancy projects, NIT-K has also seen a rise in sponsored research initiatives. For the financial year 2023-24, the institute reported receiving 258 sponsored research projects from 40 funding agencies, with total funding reaching ₹19.59 crore. This represents a significant increase compared to 2022-23, when the institute received 200 projects from 25 funding agencies, amounting to ₹17.50 crore. In 2021-22, NIT-K had 222 projects from 64 funding agencies, which provided ₹47.68 crore.

The increase in both consultancy and research projects demonstrates NIT-K’s growing influence and capability in engaging with various industries and research sectors, further solidifying its position in the academic landscape.

NIRF Ranking Decline Raises Concerns

Despite the positive growth in consultancy and research projects, NIT-K’s overall ranking in the NIRF has experienced a decline over the past three years. The institute’s ranking dropped from 38 in 2023, with a score of 55.47, to 46 in 2024 (score of 54.44), and further declined to 54 with a score of 55.21 for 2025.

Sources suggest that this decline may be attributed to the operational flexibilities enjoyed by private educational institutions compared to the more rigid structures of government-managed institutes. Private institutions often have greater leeway in hiring faculty, mobilizing resources, and introducing new programs, which can enhance their competitive edge.

The issue of “peer perception” within the NIRF rankings has come under scrutiny. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted this parameter during the announcement of the India Rankings 2025. He emphasized the need for the NIRF to ensure that government-funded institutions do not lag behind due to this specific criterion, which accounts for 10% of the total ranking score. Critics argue that this aspect remains vague and could disadvantage public institutions.

As NIT-K continues to thrive in consultancy and research projects, the challenge of improving its NIRF ranking remains a concern for the institute’s administration. Balancing growth in project engagement while addressing ranking concerns will be vital for NIT-K as it looks to enhance its reputation both nationally and internationally.